[JayFreddy]

To another rider.

But then realized he wouldn't listen.

He was riding a fairly new Triumph Speed Twin with the muffler and fenders removed.

He was parked on the sidewalk in front of my local gym, on the sidewalk, right in front of a big sign that said, "NO MOTORCYCLE PARKING".

Of course he had no helmet, and he wasn't wearing goggles or even sunglasses... Not any gloves either.. Just a T-shirt and jeans.

Initially I wanted to suggest that he wear a helmet, but when I saw all the other red flags I just let it go.

He was probably 23 years old.

A day before that I was riding my Shadow at a good clip on a busy State Highway with 3 lanes per side... Some guy on a 600 cc crotch rocket zips up through the traffic, weaving in an out of the cars... The whole time his right turn signal is flashing.

I caught up with him at the next light. I pulled up beside him, flipped up my modular helmet, and told him that his turn signal was still on.

He replied in Portuguese that he didnt speak English...

I knew what he was saying because it's close to Spanish and I had to learn some Portuguese in a previous life.

I live in Texas, so you can get a license if you only speak Spanish... But Portuguese?

Of course, this guy wasn't wearing a helmet either, nor gloves or a jacket... but at least he had sunglasses.

It's hard not to be a grumpy old man sometimes.

 

[kesanders]

Silence is golden. Choices in a free country. Some choices people make aren't the best.

 

[D's Spirit]

Proof is in the pudding...you can't fix stupid.

 

["Captain D"]

Can`t fix Stupid, BUT you CAN put it in remission with a 2X4

I was that way too,
Dennis

 

[squidchief]

I don't see how it's anyone else's business if someone wears a helmet or not .... or how they choose to dress when riding. Just sayin'....

 

[JayFreddy]

More dead bikers means my insurance rates go up. It's the way the system works. If they ride on shared public roads, what they do on those roads is public. Freedom and nunya' are different things.

Edit... Basically I agree that freedom includes how you choose to dress. But I'm not a 1%'er and I'm not a fan of them either. And yes, I'm grumpy too. Rubber side down.

 

[oldguy]

I think it was Larry Niven who summed it up best: "Think of it as evolution in action"

 

[PhantomRider64]

More dead bikers means my insurance rates go up. It's the way the system works. If they ride on shared public roads, what they do on those roads is public. Freedom and nunya' are different things.

Edit... Basically I agree that freedom includes how you choose to dress. But I'm not a 1%'er and I'm not a fan of them either. And yes, I'm grumpy too. Rubber side down.

Your insurance rates are gonna go up anyway,,,

People not using their turn signals causes accidents, maybe a dead biker, that causes insurance to go up but I don’t see any movement to have more folks use turn signals. Just an example.
BTW, do you use your phone while driving?

 

[JayFreddy]

BTW, do you use your phone while driving?

Absolutely not.

I used to think that I only did it occasionally, but then I installed an app on my smartphone provided by my insurance company, and that opened up my eyes.

"Occasionally" was in reality once or twice a day.

I stopped doing it completely 2 years ago and my insurance premiums have since gone down about 30%.

An unspoken part of my rant here (and yes, it's a rant) is that most people who claim they're being "safe" by removing their mufflers, rear view mirrors, and then not wearing helmets (because it improves their 'awareness'), tend to violate all kinds of other laws as a matter of course.

I am a law abiding citizen and I like motorcycles. The whole bad boy thing is BS and always has been, IMO.

 

[PhantomRider64]

Glad you got away from the phone while driving.
In my opinion helmets are like seatbelts and I really don’t like either and dislike being made to wear them against my will. But since driving is a privilege and not a right I have to wear them where required. I personally think both should be a choice.
I guess by your view I am a “bad boy” type, although I have not butchered my bike, I wear a half helmet, blue jeans, leather boots, T-shirt, and a cut when I ride as bare minimum. Any other clothing is worn for weather purposes. I don’t belong to a club or group and I am not a 1%er, heck I may not even be a 3%er. I have ridden my ride and my way for almost 40 years because it is what I like.

 

[chucke]

To another rider.

But then realized he wouldn't listen.

He was riding a fairly new Triumph Speed Twin with the muffler and fenders removed.

He was parked on the sidewalk in front of my local gym, on the sidewalk, right in front of a big sign that said, "NO MOTORCYCLE PARKING".

Of course he had no helmet, and he wasn't wearing goggles or even sunglasses... Not any gloves either.. Just a T-shirt and jeans.

Initially I wanted to suggest that he wear a helmet, but when I saw all the other red flags I just let it go.

He was probably 23 years old.

A day before that I was riding my Shadow at a good clip on a busy State Highway with 3 lanes per side... Some guy on a 600 cc crotch rocket zips up through the traffic, weaving in an out of the cars... The whole time his right turn signal is flashing.

I caught up with him at the next light. I pulled up beside him, flipped up my modular helmet, and told him that his turn signal was still on.

He replied in Portuguese that he didnt speak English...

I knew what he was saying because it's close to Spanish and I had to learn some Portuguese in a previous life.

I live in Texas, so you can get a license if you only speak Spanish... But Portuguese?

Of course, this guy wasn't wearing a helmet either, nor gloves or a jacket... but at least he had sunglasses.

It's hard not to be a grumpy old man sometimes.

Kills me to see people riding in shorts, flip flops, and no gloves. I rate motorcycle rider's intelligence by whether or not they are wearing gloves. When you crash, one of the first things you will do is put your hands down. Idiots.

 

[JayFreddy]

I'm not as judgmental as you might think! Lol

I rode a motorcycle in Tokyo for several years in my younger days. Lane filtering, lane splitting, banzai, the whole 9 yards.

In Tokyo and Bangkok, there are professional motorcyclists. For many riders, it's not just a hobby, it's a career.

In Tokyo it's couriers and special delivery, and in Bangkok it's that and motorbike taxis as well. Both cities have roads built with accommodations acknowledging that motorcycles have special requirements and abilities compared to cars, buses, and trucks.

In Bangkok, there are no helmet laws, but the people who earn their living on two wheels all wear them. I wonder why?

In Japan, they do have helmet laws, but there are no laws requiring reflective safety vests, but all the professional motorcycle riders use them anyway...

 

[chuckebryant1949]

Your insurance rates are gonna go up anyway,,,

People not using their turn signals causes accidents, maybe a dead biker, that causes insurance to go up but I don’t see any movement to have more folks use turn signals. Just an example.
BTW, do you use your phone while driving?

Hell no

 

[Bdilz99]

I have not butchered my bike, I wear a half helmet, blue jeans, leather boots, T-shirt,

In summertime this is pretty much the same for me. I do always wear gloves, it's just the way my riding has evolved. (This reminds me it's time for some new summer weight gloves)

I don't think I'm judgy although when I see younger "invincible" folk on crotch rockets screaming down the highway wearing shorts, a tank and sneakers, the girlfriend on back, also in shorts, tank and flipflops, I shake my head and think if she were my daughter ain't no f'n way that's happening.

As a kid I did used to ride my moped in shorts and sneakers

 

[Beggar]

Since some're staking out their opinions on this ......

I have buds who dump on ATGATTers all the time, call'em pansies, paranoids, & things worse. I have other buds who dump on 1%ers & such all the time, call'em a-holes, ego freaks, posers, & yeah, things worse.

Gentlemen, I fought for all our right to ride, wear, & enjoy what we each prefer, for whatever reasons we each hold. I didn't fight for "Do it my way, or you're a fool.". I live it as well, allows me the pleasure of chuckling at those who think the world should be run to their satisfaction.

 

[chucke]

In summertime this is pretty much the same for me. I do always wear gloves, it's just the way my riding has evolved. (This reminds me it's time for some new summer weight gloves)

I don't think I'm judgy although when I see younger "invincible" folk on crotch rockets screaming down the highway wearing shorts, a tank and sneakers, the girlfriend on back, also in shorts, tank and flipflops, I shake my head and think if she were my daughter ain't no f'n way that's happening.

As a kid I did used to ride my moped in shorts and sneakers

Never rode a horse or a bike in shorts, never.

 

[crazyoldman]

Never rode a horse or a bike in shorts, never.

I have been ridding bikes all my life in shorts tank tops flip flops no helmet in town .Highway yes. At 67 nothing left to loose .Still better than the dumb axx that dresses in black on his black Ninja that passed me at well over 100mph went around a curve and smashes into a uninsured car spun it 180 that didn't see him .My car actually moved as he went by and he was out of sight in seconds. I was first on the scene .Broken bones sticking from both wrist, face down in the road .Kicked him in the helmet and ask if he was ok. No reply Others arrived at the scene called 911 . Went to nearby PS station reported it. Left him for dead .No bike to be found anywhere. Must have flapped into the field. Never took off his helmet, No signs of life ,he lived, his lawyer called me trying to sue girl in car. She didn't have nothing including a license. Told him how fast he was going and he hung upon me . I saw his bike at the tow yard days later smashed to about 3 feet long. And I'm unsafe? Never dress in black an a black bike and helmet and expect people to see you on a blacktop highway ,seen the results many times unfortunately .Stealth on a bike . No!



Hope your ok chucke prayed for you and was worried about you my friend. Pat

 

[squidchief]

Since some're staking out their opinions on this ......

I have buds who dump on ATGATTers all the time, call'em pansies, paranoids, & things worse. I have other buds who dump on 1%ers & such all the time, call'em a-holes, ego freaks, posers, & yeah, things worse.

Gentlemen, I fought for all our right to ride, wear, & enjoy what we each prefer, for whatever reasons we each hold. I didn't fight for "Do it my way, or you're a fool.". I live it as well, allows me the pleasure of chuckling at those who think the world should be run to their satisfaction.

well said!

 

[swifty2014]

Hey fellers hold my beer and watch this!

 

[Beggar]

Hey fellers hold my beer and watch this!

A lot of the fellows I know'd drink your beer while you were out there, and tell you they didn't figure you'd make it back.
So, no.